A review of metal foam and metal matrix composites for heat exchangers and heat sinks

Xiao Hong Han, Qin Wang, Young Gil Park, Christophe T'Joen, Andrew Sommers, Anthony Jacobi

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Recent advances in manufacturing methods open the possibility for broader use of metal foams and metal matrix composites (MMCs) for heat exchangers, and these materials can have tailored material properties. Metal foams in particular combine a number of interesting properties from a heat exchanger's point of view. In this paper, the material properties of metal foams and MMCs are surveyed, and the current state of the art is reviewed for heat exchanger applications. Four different applications are considered: liquid-liquid, liquid-gas, and gas-gas heat exchangers and heat sinks. Manufacturing and implementation issues are identified and discussed, and it is concluded that these materials hold promise both for heat exchangers and heat sinks, but that some key issues still need to be solved before broad-scale application is possible.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)991-1009
Number of pages19
JournalHeat Transfer Engineering
Volume33
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

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